Tips to know to get through Airport Security faster

You know the drill—between your arrival at Singapore Changi Airport and boarding time, you’ll need to go through a long process which involves checking in, looking for your boarding gate and going through airport security checks before finally being allowed to board your flight.

This is a lengthy process that can take well over an hour at efficient Changi Airport, and even longer at other airports.

Here are some best practices to get you through airport security as quickly as possible.

Pack your liquids in ziplock bags

When you’re going through the security scanner, many airports will require you to remove your liquids from your bag and place them in clear ziplock bags before putting them through the security scanner.

It, therefore, helps to come prepared by pre-packing your liquids in clear 100ml bottles in a ziplock bag and placing them in an accessible pocket in your hand carry luggage. One cheap way to do so is to save a ziplock bag from a previous security check and then reuse it each time you take a flight. That will save you from having to fumble with your toiletry bag and remove your liquids one by one.

Remove your electronics and outer layers of clothing when you’re standing in line

You already know that most security checks will require that you remove electronics like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and cameras from your bag and place them in a tray to be scanned.

Anticipate this while you’re standing in line and remove your electronics ahead of time. You usually have to remove them from laptop bags, camera cases and so on as well. That way, once you get to the front of the line, you can immediately deposit your electronics in a tray instead of holding up the queue.

Don’t wear a belt or accessories besides a watch

Taking out your belt and accessories like watches and jewelry is another step that can hold up the line.

Avoid the hassle by keeping your accessories to a minimum. If possible, avoid wearing a belt. The only accessory that could be worth the trouble is a watch, as it will help you keep track of time in different timezones when your phone is off or out of battery.

Make sure your pockets are empty

Empty your pockets before you leave the house for the airport. It sounds so simple, but many people neglect to do so and end up getting held up at the security check because their coins or keys set off the metal detector.

Wear easy-to-remove shoes

While this does not always happen, at some airports you might be asked to remove your shoes before going through the metal detector.

For this reason, it is best to pick shoes that you can slip in and out of easily. Avoid shoes that require you to carefully untie and retie laces or fumble with buckles.

Keep your travel documents in your hands

At every step of the process from check-in to boarding, you will be required to show your passport and boarding pass to security personnel.

So keep your travel documents in your hands or an easy-to-reach pocket in your bag, ready to be whipped out at a moment’s notice. While not all airports will require you to show your passport and boarding pass at the security check, many will.